The musical mind behind Blood Orange, famed songwriter and recording artist Devonté Hynes, was the tragic victim of a house fire overnight.
The New York resident – who is also a producer to the likes of Solange, Sky Ferreira, and Bleeding Knees Club – revealed “I’ve lost everything I own” as a result of a blaze that burned down his apartment.
“Last night, the unthinkable happened,” wrote the 27-year-old US multi-instrumentalist songwriter in a series of tweets last night, as FasterLouder reports, adding: “My entire apt burnt down while I was out. I’ve lost everything I own, including scores, hard drives … clothes, sentimental items. Everything from my life is gone.” That heartbreak includes the loss of Hynes’ young pet puppy, Cupid.
My dog died in the fire. I will love you forever Cupid. I miss you.
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) December 17, 2013
“I still don’t own a phone. So email me if you need to get in touch. I might need some time. Thanks,” added the distraught Blood Orange musician.
Robin Urbani – the mother of Hynes’ girlfriend, Friends singer Samantha Urbani – set up a GoFundMe page following the blaze urging fans to contribute funds to help replace items lost in the apartment fire. “My daughter’s boyfriend Dev Hynes lost everything – important music he is composing, computers, clothes, personal and sentimental belongings..and their little puppy Cupid. :( Please donate if you can. Even a dollar will help,” writes Urbani.
Within two hours of its launch, the ‘Help Dev!’ campaign reached its initial target of US$5,000 and has currently generated $12,845 worth of donations in six hours (at the time of publication). “I am overwhelmed by all the LOVE and support being offered to both Dev and Samantha!” wrote Urbani on the campaign page.
(Devonté Hynes and Samantha Urbani with their puppy Cupid, who was killed in the blaze. Image: Robin Ubrani. Source: GoFundMe.)
The sad news follows last months’ release of Cupid Deluxe, the sophomore effort from Dev Hynes as Blood Orange, which features multiple contributions from his singer girlfriend, as well as guest spots from Dirty Projectors frontman Dave Longstreth, Charlift’s Caroline Polachek, electronic artist Clams Casino, English grime rapper Skepta, emerging Queens MC Despot, and many more.
Hynes long list of musical credits includes his first band, British noise punks Test Icicles, two albums under his former Lightspeed Champion alias, and a string of production and songwriting credits for the likes of Solange Knowles (including her breakout single ‘True’), Sky Ferreira’s ‘Everything Is Embarassing’, the debut album from Queesnland garage duo Bleeding Knees Club, as well as Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Florence The Machine, Theophilus London, Emmy The Great, and more.
To donate money to the ‘Help Dev!’ campaign, head here.
